William Forcum

William Joseph (Joe) Forcum, Jr., passed away peacefully in the early morning hours of December 21, 2022.  He was preceded in death by his parents William Joseph Forcum, Sr. and Lillian Hooker Forcum; sisters Marjorie Teets Smith and Lois Virginia Forcum, and wife of 67 years, Nancy Sink Forcum.

He is survived by his brother, James Gray Forcum; children Kenneth Forcum (wife Jenny), JoAnna Larrimore, June Wicker (husband Bobby), and Mary Parks (husband Bobby); grandchildren Bryan Larrimore, Mary Catherine Parker, Ryan and Gray Forcum, Meredith and Riley Clendenin, Caroline Geiger, and Bo Wicker; seven great-grandchildren; brother-in-law Tom Sink, sisters-in-law Sue Ellen Pruitt and Carrene Sink; special family friend Andre Etheridge; many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Joe was born on October 31, 1926, in Winston Salem, NC.  After graduating from R.J. Reynolds High School, he was drafted into the US Army where he served as a medic during WWII, and received an honorable discharge in 1945.

He went to work for the Forsyth County Health Department, where he met a beautiful RN named Nancy Vaun Sink, whom he married on June 6, 1951.  He attended High Point College, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in accounting, and went to work for Piedmont Aviation in the credit department.  He was later hired by Marsh Kitchens of High Point, NC, as financial officer.  He was promoted to national sales manager, and retired as VP of Sales and general manager of the company’s sales showroom in High Point.

Joe was a life-long member of the Church of Christ, serving as deacon, elder, and song-leader for many years. He was an active member of the High Point Civitan Club, serving as president in the early 1970’s.  He was also a member of the Beesons’s Crossroads Volunteer Fire Department in Kernersville for many years, where the family enjoyed the annual Christmas party, complete with Santa Clause and oyster stew.

He enjoyed fishing trips to the NC coast with Nancy, her sister Merlyn, and her husband A.G. Stokes. He loved sitting side-by-side with Nancy, watching Atlanta Braves baseball and UNC basketball, in dueling recliners.  But his greatest pleasure came from visits with his children, grandchildren, and countless family members and friends.  And of course, the frequent hot-dog lunch from Kermit’s hot dogs and other local establishments.

Joe Forcum’s life was defined by his tireless dedication to helping anyone in need.  He didn’t know the meaning of the word “inconvenient”, and “I can’t help you” was not in his vocabulary.  He genuinely loved everyone he met and made all feel welcome and special.  He had a wonderful sense of humor and eternal positive attitude. He was much loved and will be missed by all who knew him.

Funeral services will be held at Hayworth Miller on Silas Creek Parkway in Winston Salem at 11:00am Friday, December 23, 2022, with Reverend Dr. Beverly Fulbright officiating.  Family will receive friends and loved ones at 10:00am.  Internment will be held afterward at Forsyth Memorial Park in Winston Salem.

The family would like to thank Trellis Supportive Care of the Triad for several years of great care,  Brookdale Assisted Living of Winston Salem, and most recently Clemmons Village Assisted Living in Clemmons, NC, for their excellent care.